Kate Spade was found dead in her New York City home on Tuesday, according to multiple media reports.
The American fashion figure was reportedly found unresponsive by her housekeeper at her Park Avenue apartment on the morning of June 5 and after calling 911 Spade was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:26 a.m, according to The Cut who say police have confirmed the tragic news. Spade was 55.
It’s believed police are treating the death as an apparent suicide.
The designer, who built a fashion empire on her signature colourful, preppy handbags in the ’90s, sold the last shares she had in her namesake business in 2006 and in 2017 the publicly-traded Kate Spade & Company was acquired by Coach, Inc. for $2.4bn USD, reports the BBC.
She is survived by her husband and business partner Andy, who is the brother of actor David Spade, and her 13-year-old daughter Frances.
Celebrities have taken to social media to share their sadness at the news including Chelsea Clinton who tweeted, “My grandmother gave me my first Kate Spade bag when I was in college. I still have it.”
Very saddened to hear about the passing of Kate Spade. Mental illness does not discriminate and can happen to anyone with any circumstances. I hope she has found peace ❤️
— Lucy Hale (@lucyhale) June 5, 2018
My grandmother gave me my first Kate Spade bag when I was in college. I still have it. Holding Kate’s family, friends and loved ones in my heart.
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) June 5, 2018
Originally created from here.